May 1, 2021, 4:06 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is "Dynamic Award Pricing" by UA; questions, experiences, .... {Archive}
The details:
Award travel updates
Introducing a broader range of award prices
Updates to award travel are on the horizon. For flights on or after November 15, 2019, we’ll no longer publish an award chart listing the set amount of miles needed for each flight.The details:
- Some award prices will be lower than what’s currently published in our chart. You may have already seen these prices, and you’ll be able to get them immediately.
- Other award prices may be higher than what you see today, especially if you’re traveling at a popular time. These prices will take effect immediately for travel November 15 or after.
- Starting November 15, we’re removing close-in fees, so you won’t be charged the extra fee of up to $75 for booking last-minute award travel.
- A flexible award travel calendar is available on united.com or in our app.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is changing?
For travel on or after November 15, we will no longer publish an award chart listing the set amount of miles needed for award flights. Award pricing will now fluctuate based on a variety of factors, including demand. Additionally, starting November 15, we will no longer charge a fee of up to $75 for award flights booked within 21 days of departure.When will these updates take effect?
The award pricing changes apply immediately to flights on or after November 15, 2019. Until then, award prices will be the same as or lower than what’s currently published in our award chart.How many miles will I need for award travel after November 15?
Award prices will now fluctuate based on a variety of factors. Some air awards will be available for less than what’s listed in our chart, which you may have already noticed. After November 15, award prices may also be higher, especially if you’re traveling at popular times. Use our flexible award calendar to get a monthly view of the award prices for a specific destination.Why are you making these changes?
Increasing award prices for the most in-demand flights allows us to offer better returns for our shareholders. If your award travel is flexible, these updates will help you make the most of your miles.How will these updates affect award travel availability?
United MileagePlus members with Premier® status and qualifying United Chase Cardmembers can continue to book award travel without blackout dates. For other members, most award flights that are available today will continue to be available after these updates take effect.Do the lowest-priced awards have any extra flight restrictions?
No. Our lowest priced awards do not have any added restrictions; the fare rules for all award travel apply.How can I find the lowest priced award for my travel?
The award calendar on united.com or in our app will continue to show the lowest available price for your destination.Will I earn miles on my flight if I book an award?
No. As with current award bookings, award travel in the future will not be eligible to earn miles with MileagePlus or any other loyalty program.What if I need to change my existing award?
If you need to change your award ticket, you will be issued a new ticket for which new pricing and additional fees may apply.What if I purchase a close-in award before November 15
The close-in booking fee will still apply to all tickets booked within 21 days of departure prior to November 15, 2019. We will not refund fees paid prior to November 15, even if travel occurs on or after November 15.
"Dynamic Award Pricing" by UA; questions, experiences, .... {Archive}
Apr 7, 2019, 2:21 am
#691
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,145
Thanks for that. I've been trying to book a VS or Flying Blue award for our 2020 trip, but so far, no luck on availability. The thing is, I never reached out beyond UA before, now I am learning about all the many non-UA options.
Apr 7, 2019, 3:39 am
#692
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,358
I'm looking forward to the next major recession.
Apr 7, 2019, 5:44 am
#694
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
There is one big unanswered question here. Since the 2008-09 crash the remaining airlines have consolidated power like we've never seen before. When the next big slump comes, have the legacies now armored themselves well enough against economic swings that they will not have to unwind any of this? My guess is yes.
Apr 7, 2019, 5:58 am
#695
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
I expect partner awards to be similar to Delta. They will follow the current award chart initially, but UA will be able to double the cost overnight without any warning if they feel like it. There's no need to announce a devaluation if there is no award chart.
Apr 7, 2019, 6:56 am
#696
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,066
In the majority of cases, DL partner awards are cheaper than awards on DL's own metal these days (outside of some of their award sales). In some cases, they've actually reduced them -- AF/KL coach to Europe is 25K each way these days. The real inflation has been for awards on DL's own metal.
Apr 7, 2019, 7:06 am
#697
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
In the majority of cases, DL partner awards are cheaper than awards on DL's own metal these days (outside of some of their award sales). In some cases, they've actually reduced them -- AF/KL coach to Europe is 25K each way these days. The real inflation has been for awards on DL's own metal.
Apr 7, 2019, 7:12 am
#698
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,424
Elite status sure isn't as valuable as it used to be. As a lifetime 1K, there's certainly no upside here for me with these changes. The variable last minute pricing pretty much means no more standard award redemptions "at the last minute" as UA will no longer be collecting fees from ordinary members. They'll just raise the redemption costs. And, right now, when I'm looking at desirable Xmas flights, they've just jacked up the prices so again no chance of snagging a good elite-only standard award ticket (of course, that was always a longshot anyway).
Apr 7, 2019, 7:14 am
#699
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,309
Apr 7, 2019, 7:40 am
#700
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: united
Posts: 1,636
I think their assumption is that if load factors decline again, they can use dynamic pricing to TEMPORARILY increase the availability of FF awards to fill seats. That's the thing about this system- it makes it easy to adjust the generosity of the program without getting a lot of publicity ("United raises the price of a free ticket.").
Apr 7, 2019, 7:41 am
#701
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,515
You can book DL flights on VS - in premium cabins, much better rates than DL flights on DL.
Apr 7, 2019, 7:43 am
#702
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,066
And then compare it to DL metal awards. Partner J to Europe on AF/KL is 75K each way, while it is now 105K on DL metal. Partner J to Asia is 85K each way, while DL metal is 120K each way. I'm not saying there has been zero inflation on partner awards, but it's been considerably worse for DL metal.
Last edited by xliioper; Apr 7, 2019 at 7:49 am
Apr 7, 2019, 8:07 am
#703
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
And then compare it to DL metal awards. Partner J to Europe on AF/KL is 75K each way, while it is now 105K on DL metal. Partner J to Asia is 85K each way, while DL metal is 120K each way. I'm not saying there has been zero inflation on partner awards, but it's been considerably worse for DL metal.
Like a paid ticket, the price is whatever they say it is at the time that you search. That applies to DL or partner metal.
You can't save up for an aspirational award as the price can change when they feel like it and without notice.
Apr 7, 2019, 8:12 am
#704
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,066
Just depends on their mood. I booked DL A350 suites CLE-DTW-AMS for 98K RT a few months ago. And I've seen the same itinerary after the "sale" go for 450K.
Like a paid ticket, the price is whatever they say it is at the time that you search. That applies to DL or partner metal.
You can't save up for an aspirational award as the price can change when they feel like it and without notice.
Like a paid ticket, the price is whatever they say it is at the time that you search. That applies to DL or partner metal.
You can't save up for an aspirational award as the price can change when they feel like it and without notice.
Apr 7, 2019, 8:16 am
#705
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: LH Senator, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 121
I feel the 1Ks are missing the forest from the trees.
[...]
3. You're still awarded 6 GPUs/yr. Worth $2K each = $12K
[...]
5. Mileage devaluation will require more miles for flights, thereby leaving fewer miles for Polaris upgrades. So again, Polaris more accesable with GPUs.
[...]
[...]
3. You're still awarded 6 GPUs/yr. Worth $2K each = $12K
[...]
5. Mileage devaluation will require more miles for flights, thereby leaving fewer miles for Polaris upgrades. So again, Polaris more accesable with GPUs.
[...]
Personally, GPUs have little value for me. I mostly fly paid business TATL and TPAC for work, so the only use case for me is upgrading LH/NH C to F. Since LH/NH are rare, the majority of my GPUs usually expire. If my spouse is traveling with me, it has always been an award ticket in business or paid business because GPUs basically never clear both ways.
Furthermore, Polaris won't be more accessible with GPUs. United will just offer more cash upgrades to non-elites.